Thieman Tailgates is a U.S.-based liftgate manufacturer with over five decades of experience building rugged, high-capacity lift systems. Their product line supports dry vans, reefers, service trucks, and flatbeds with versatile installation options for nearly every fleet application.
Matthews Motors offers:
• Installation and electrical integration
• Replacement lift upgrades
• Maintenance and hydraulic troubleshooting
• DOT-aligned lift inspections
Vehicle Applications
Compatible with Heavy-Duty Fleets
53′ Dry Vans & Reefers
Box Trucks & Straight Trucks
Dump Bodies & Flatbeds
Vocational and Utility Service Trucks
Parts & Service Support
Repair-Ready Liftgate Services
Hydraulic cylinder rebuilds
Power unit replacements
Liftgate platform repairs
Switches, relays, and motor kits
Why Matthews Motors
Certified Heavy-Duty Install Partner
Thieman-certified install team
In-house wiring and lift integration
Upfit-to-liftgate design coordination
Paint-matched installs available
About Thieman Tailgates
Thieman Tailgates is a U.S.-based liftgate manufacturer with over five decades of experience building rugged, high-capacity lift systems. Their product line supports dry vans, reefers, service trucks, and flatbeds with versatile installation options for nearly every fleet application.
Matthews Motors offers:
• Installation and electrical integration
• Replacement lift upgrades
• Maintenance and hydraulic troubleshooting
• DOT-aligned lift inspections
Vehicle Applications
Compatible with Heavy-Duty Fleets
53′ Dry Vans & Reefers
Box Trucks & Straight Trucks
Dump Bodies & Flatbeds
Vocational and Utility Service Trucks
Parts & Service Support
Repair-Ready Liftgate Services
Hydraulic cylinder rebuilds
Power unit replacements
Liftgate platform repairs
Switches, relays, and motor kits
Why Matthews Motors
Certified Heavy-Duty Install Partner
Thieman-certified install team
In-house wiring and lift integration
Upfit-to-liftgate design coordination
Paint-matched installs available
Thieman Tailgates – Built to Work. Made to Last.
Matthews Motors installs Thieman liftgates across trailers, vocational trucks, and fleet platforms that demand strength and reliability.
Conventional Liftgates
Heavy Duty Railgates
Heavy Duty Bottle Gas Railgates
Medium Duty Railgates
Side Loader Liftgates
Toplifter Liftgates
Pickup & Service Body Liftgates
Pump Parts
Stowaway Liftgates
Conventional Liftgates – TWL & WT Series
Thieman’s TWL and WT conventional liftgates are built for medium- and heavy-duty truck applications. They provide high-cycle performance with vertical lift from ground to bed height, supported by rugged steel or aluminum platforms and powerful hydraulic systems.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Direct vertical lift from ground to bed height
Platform-mounted power unit (WT series)
Dock-friendly platform taper options
Hydraulic up/down and power tilt
Freight and logistics fleets
Food and beverage delivery
Rental, leasing, and municipal vehicles
Steel or aluminum platform materials
Multiple bed height configurations
Foot controls, cart stops, and power units
TWL-125ET: 1,250 lb capacity
TWL-16ET: 1,600 lb capacity
TWL-20ET: 2,000 lb capacity
WT-20EST: 2,000 lb capacity
WT-30EST: 3,000 lb capacity
WT-40EST: 4,000 lb capacity
Heavy Duty Railgates – TDR & VL Series
Thieman’s TDR and VL Series Railgates deliver heavy-duty performance for high-capacity freight applications. These rail-type liftgates feature vertical lift with rugged construction, ideal for demanding delivery routes and regional distribution.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Vertical lift rail system for smooth, high-capacity lifting
Heavy-duty steel construction and hydraulic actuation
Anti-skid platform surfaces and automatic leveling
Reinforced columns and protected wiring
Heavy-duty delivery trucks and trailers
Food and beverage fleets
Industrial and municipal applications
Available in steel or aluminum platform options
Dock-friendly platform tapers
Remote control and foot switch options
TDR-44: 4,400 lb capacity
TDR-55: 5,500 lb capacity
TDR-66: 6,600 lb capacity
VL-30: 3,000 lb capacity
VL-40: 4,000 lb capacity
VL-50: 5,000 lb capacity
Heavy Duty Bottle Gas Railgates – TDRBG & VLBG Series
Thieman’s TDRBG and VLBG Series are purpose-built railgates for safely transporting bottle gas cylinders. These liftgates offer reinforced platforms with high side retention, ideal for distribution of pressurized gas containers in commercial and industrial use.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
High side railings for secure bottle containment
Vertical lift operation with full hydraulic control
Reinforced steel platform with anti-slip surface
Compact and durable for demanding gas delivery
Medical and industrial gas delivery
Compressed gas distribution
Cylinder fleet operations
Side containment bars and locking mechanisms
Custom platform widths and bed heights
Power-down lift functionality
TDRBG-44: 4,400 lb capacity
VLBG-30: 3,000 lb capacity
VLBG-40: 4,000 lb capacity
Medium Duty Railgates – TVLR & AATVLR Series
Thieman’s TVLR and AATVLR medium-duty railgates are designed for versatility and ease of use. These gates support medium-capacity loads and offer vertical lifting with optional aluminum platforms and power features to meet the needs of general delivery fleets.
Thieman’s SL Series Side Loader Liftgates provide easy lateral access for applications requiring side unloading. With hydraulic operation and low stow height, these gates are ideal for beverage distribution and other side-delivery needs.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Side loading platform design
Hydraulic lift and power tilt
Stow height as low as 6 inches
Aluminum or steel platform options
Beverage and food service delivery
Urban route distribution
Fleet vehicles with limited rear access
Side-mounted foot controls
Platform sizes: 6 ft or 10 ft
Power-down or gravity-down options
SL-15EST-10: 1,500 lb capacity, 10′ platform
SL-15EST-6: 1,500 lb capacity, 6′ platform
SL-20EST-10: 2,000 lb capacity, 10′ platform
SL-20EST-6: 2,000 lb capacity, 6′ platform
Toplifter Liftgates – TT Series
The Thieman TT Series Toplifter Liftgates are designed for above-bed loading applications, offering robust performance and lift capacity for medium-duty trucks. These gates feature platforms that rise above the truck bed to simplify loading and unloading of heavy cargo.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Above-bed toplift platform design
Steel or aluminum deck options
Hydraulic up/down and tilt operation
Rugged frame design for harsh-duty cycles
Medium-duty delivery and freight vehicles
Utility and repair fleet trucks
Fleet operations needing bed-height access
Steel or extruded aluminum platform materials
Manual or power down configuration
Dock-friendly platform taper
TT-16ET: 1,600 lb capacity
TT-20ET: 2,000 lb capacity
Pickup & Service Body Liftgates – TT-15ET
Thieman’s TT-15ET is purpose-built for pickup trucks and service bodies, delivering durable lifting power in a compact format. Designed for easy installation and operation, it is ideal for technicians and contractors who need reliable bed access in the field.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Designed for pickup trucks and utility/service bodies
Above-bed lift with single-cylinder hydraulic operation
Platform folds for compact storage
Easy bolt-on installation
Field service and maintenance trucks
Utility and municipal operations
Light-duty material handling
Steel or aluminum platform
Optional recessed lights
Dock-friendly design
Capacity: 1,500 lbs
Platform sizes: 38″ x 42″, 42″ x 42″
Hydraulic Pump Assemblies & Components
Thieman provides a wide selection of complete hydraulic power units and replacement parts to support its liftgate lineup. These assemblies are built for durability and serviceability across a range of models, from legacy pumps to current high-pressure systems. Complete power units and service kits are available for installation and maintenance.
Thieman’s stowaway liftgates provide powerful lifting capabilities with space-saving designs. Mounted beneath the truck or trailer bed, these gates stay out of the way when not in use, and deploy quickly for efficient cargo handling. They are ideal for trucks that require full access to rear doors without obstruction.
Features
Applications
Options
Specs
Flip-away liftgate design for rear door clearance
Hydraulic up/down with power fold/stow options
Steel or aluminum platforms with anti-slip surface
Compact storage beneath the chassis
General freight and logistics
Rental and leasing fleets
Parcel and dry goods delivery
Platform widths from 80–90 inches
Dock-friendly tapered platforms
Optional power open/close and cart stops
LRST-40EST: 4,000 lb capacity
M-Series: 1,600–3,000 lb capacity
MDC Series: 2,500–3,000 lb capacity
MLB Series: 1,600–2,000 lb capacity
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